The Chicago Bears playoff history isn’t all that different from other teams. They’ve had spurts of going frequently mixed with long down periods. They reached the Super Bowl a couple of times, winning one and losing one. Fans no doubt hope that regardless of how things play out in Minnesota on Sunday that this team is equipped to make a run. They certainly have the talent for it.
However, there is one rather interesting quirk about the Bears’ history that is worth noting. Since the current playoff format came into existence in 1978, adding a second wild card team, Chicago has made the postseason 13 times. Only four of those times did they qualify as a wild card team. That means the remaining nine saw them get in with at least a first round bye.
They also had some remarkable luck in this regard. For example, in 2010 they finished 11-5, clinching the #2 seed. This was a minor surprise since Philadelphia went into Week 16 at 10-4. All they had to do was beat Minnesota and Dallas, both of whom had losing records to claim that spot. They lost both games, paving the way for Chicago.
Could that strange luck aid the Chicago Bears playoff outlook again?
The #2 seed is still something within reach for the Bears this year. It comes down to a simple two-step situation. They must beat the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams must lose to the San Francisco 49ers. That seems to be asking a lot. The Vikings haven’t lost to the Bears at home since 2011. The Rams have won four of their last five at home against the 49ers.
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Then again, stranger things have happened. Minnesota has looked nothing like the team they were last season and have already shown they’re susceptible to coughing up games they’re expected to win at home. Los Angeles may not have Todd Gurley for the second-straight week and play a 49ers team that has won two of their last three.
Not to mention San Francisco actually beat them in the season finale last year too. It’s safe to say that the assumptions about what will happen on Sunday should be handled with great caution. Given the Bears’ history with the playoffs, things may break their way.
